New Detroit mayor wants 6 months to prove he can fix city

DETROIT – Detroit's new mayor is urging residents who might be contemplating a move from the bankrupt city to hang on for just six more months.

Mayor Mike Duggan, a former medical center chief, said Tuesday that within that timeframe his administration will be able to show that it can solve many of the city's problems. He vowed that poor bus, lighting and other public services that have plagued Detroit for years are part of the past.

"Just give us six months. Give us six months to prove that we can turn things around," he said during an investiture ceremony at City Hall. "Just push the pause button and don't leave that house yet. Give us six months and let us prove to you what we can do."

The mayor, Detroit's City Council, City Clerk and police commissioners were given a ceremonial oath of office Tuesday.

Duggan is sharing some duties in running the city with state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr. Duggan will handle blight removal, public lighting and the Fire Department.

Orr successfully petitioned to move Detroit into bankruptcy and remains in charge of overall city finances.

On Tuesday, Duggan announced that a new city transportation director would be hired. He complained of seeing people waiting Monday and Tuesday in subzero temperatures for behind-schedule buses.

"I was so embarrassed and angry for the people who were standing out trying to get to work ... for hours at a time," he said. "It drove home a point of how far we have to go. We are not going to tolerate this level of service in Detroit."